A Wonderful “Finnish” to a Fun Day in Pembroke

Tucked away in a quiet little corner of Furnace Pond in Pembroke is a little known gem of a destination. With breathtaking views, pine trees and a converted hunting lodge dating back to the 1920s, the Uljas Koitto Temperance Society (UKTS) offers a break from the day-to-day grind, and a welcoming community.

**UKTS is located on Furnace Pond offering beautiful views of the area.** *Photos by Mike Corkren*

**A swim raft on Furnace Pond is part of the rustic recreation**. *Photo by Brittany Murphy*

Finland was front and center when the UKTS held an open house on Saturday, August 15 to celebrate their 100 year anniversary. UKTS was founded in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1890 to promote temperance among Finnish immigrants and to educate the public about Finnish culture. Located at 83 Suomi Road in Pembroke on Furnace Pond, the UKTS is a community of members, friends and their invited and accompanied guests. The acronym UKTS is from the Finnish words “Uljas Koitto”, meaning Brave Dawn Temperance Society.

The members have a deep seated commitment to community, which includes donating scholarships to Pembroke students and the helping supply the local food pantry.

**The Finnish word** **kesäjuhla** **(often spelled** **kesajuhla****) translates literally to "summer festival" or "summer celebration."** *Photo by Mike Corkren*

In 1926, the UKTS purchased a former hunting lodge in Pembroke and the surrounding land. Since then, the property has been a place for Finns as well as non-Finns to escape to a simpler time and enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna.

**The main building and greeting area.** *Photos by Britanny Murphy and Mike Corkren*

**Cut wood for the wood-fired sauna.** *Photo by Mike Corkren*

Sauna is an intricate part of Finnish culture. UKTS maintains a traditional Finnish wood-fired (dry) sauna, which is situated just steps from Furnace Pond. Users often cool down with a swim in the summer or a quick dunk in the icy water in the winter. When the pond freezes over, members are on hand to carve out space for the ultimate ice plunge. Both men’s and women’s saunas are available. The general public is welcome to use the sauna by making a reservation and paying a small fee.

**A traditional (dry wood fire) Finnish sauna is available for men and women and is maintained by members.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

**Kirsten Klinteberg (right) and Lumi Tolman (left) were enjoying the sauna as we toured the facility. Adding emphasis to the strong the family bonds, Lumi told us how her grandparents had met here.** *Photo by Brittany Murphy*

The grounds were alive with members and visitors alike. People gathered, played games, and attended to a raffle table. Some families were represented by three or more generations. They talked about how they had been coming to the UKTS for decades. Others said they returned after many years to renew their cultural bonds.

**Members and visitors mingled and enjoyed the day.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

UKTS president Fran Lonergan expressed her feelings about the camp. “This is my happy place…I just feel a connection to this camp, to my heritage.”

**UKTS President, Fran Lonergan.** *Photo by Mike Corkren*

**UKTS president Fran Lonergan (center) sits outside the main building, chatting with members and guests, as lunch is prepared inside.** *Photo by Mike Corkren*

**The Tolman family (on the left) Mike, Sara-Jane and Lumi enjoyed a swim after a sauna. Carl Dahl (on the right) came to the United States in 1968. Carl met his wife at UKTS.** *Photos by Mike Corkren*

Inside, the kitchen buzzed with activity as the meal was prepared. Huge cast iron stoves took up most of one wall. Pots simmered with delightful smells as burgers were grilled just outside the door.

**The kitchen features two stoves, one of which was custom built by Finnish workers from Southern New Hampshire.** *Photo by Brittany Murphy*

**While the kitchen was busy with food prep, member Russell Sven Kincade manned the grill.** *Photos by Mike Corkren*

The hunting lodge roots can be seen in every room. Log walls and knotty pine make up the architecture. A huge stone hearth dominates one wall of the great room, its mantle adorned with photos from the past. Through the main room is a screened porch with long tables, a polished wood floor and benches for group gatherings. The room looks out onto pine trees and the water.

**The great room is dominated by the stone hearth.** *Photo by Brittany Murphy*

**Ladder used to raise/drop an oil lamp in main room.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

**The screened porch gives a view of the woods and Furnace Pond**. Photo by Mike Corkren

**Finnish and UKTS history is well documented in the many pictures adorning the walls.** *Photo by Brittany Murphy*

Ken Kampper heads up the Finnish Culture & Scholarship program. Mr. Kampper expressed his love of the camp. "Some of us grew up here. When I was a young kid, days like this, with hundreds of people, were common every Sunday. We’ve evolved into Saturday saunas 52 weeks out of the year… all through the winter months. We’re a welcoming society. We’re thriving, we have new members and it’s a wonderful thing. Everybody has been good stewards."

**Finnish Culture & Scholarship program head Ken Kempper.** *Photo By Mike Corkren*

Part of the main building houses bedrooms that members can reserve for overnight stays. The rooms are simple but inviting with old world charm.

**Members can reserve bedrooms in the lodge.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

**Stairs leading up to the bedrooms decorated with Finnish art.** *Photo by Mike Corkren*

After lunch, visitors were treated to a dance performance by the Revotulet Dancers, a Finnish-American folk dance group based in the Fitchburg and southern New Hampshire area. The group is named after revontulet, the Finnish word for the northern lights. Dressed in traditional Finnish garb, they delighted onlookers with couples and circle dances steeped in Finnish culture. Guests were invited to join in on the fun.

**The Revotulet Dancers, a Finnish dance group, performed traditional dances in native costumes.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

**Members of the audience were encouraged to join in the dances while music was provided by John Chambers.** *Photos by Brittany Murphy*

Everyone was welcoming and willing to talk about their experiences and culture. There was an overriding theme of community in everyone who was interviewed. While the UKTS was founded by Finnish immigrants, it is open to all. Everyone is welcome.

Information on sauna, becoming a guest or member can be found on the UKTS website at: https://www.uktshome.com/